Javagal Srinath
The way he plays the game is akin to the way he uses his words. In the recent Sydney saga, Anil's softly worded line "Only one team played with the right spirit" had the highest impact. It has been a painful 10 days for the cricketing fraternity which had to go through testing times. Sadly, the fiasco is not over, yet. At least, the decks are cleared for the last two test matches. Both the teams have lots to claim and salvage in the coming weeks. As for the Aussies, more than winning the series, it's all about the way they conduct themselves while still maintaining their aggressive streak. For the tourists, who have a renewed backing from all quarters, have more to do and deliver than anything else. With too much of water having flown under the bridge, the rest of the series can only offer more exciting cricket than ever before. Although, Australia has two wins, India has more to gain than the home side. Expecting India to win the next two matches might be little too optimistic. Even drawing the next two test matches would be seen as an achievement.
Back to pure cricket, Anil would be pleased to see Virendra Sehwag among runs. With this hundred, Sehwag has certainly sealed his place as an opener at Perth. Sewag's inclusion has also in a way saved Yuvraj's position at number 7. It's important that the team reposes enough confidence in Yuvraj and backs him to the hilt. For both Yuvraj and Dhoni this series has been an eye opener. Their range of strokes appears to be a boon in the shorter version of the game. But the same seems to be a bane in test matches. There is no doubt that these too players will be the pillars of Indian cricket in time to come, but the transformation has to happen now. Dhoni's role down the order would really make a huge difference to the side. Now, all this can happen if the opening pair does a decent job.
Jaffer might have to warm the benches and it's sad that the stylish Mumbaikar couldn't adjust his technique on the hard and bouncy wickets. The same technique when applied on the Indian wickets fetches plenty of runs. Here again it's the adaptability factor which differentiates the great and the good players. Perhaps, things would have been different if he had played couple of practice games. The current scenario demands players with proven capability. So a naturally aggressive Sewag will partner Rahul Dravid in all probability.
Minus Zaheer Khan, the inexperienced fast bowling attack, mesmerized the host. But Perth will call for three fast bowlers and it will be foolhardy not to go with an extra fast bowler. Venkatesh Prasad has a big task on hand in tutoring the fast bowlers to quickly change the length. Waca offers more bounce than any other wicket in the world. Its imperative that the Indian bowlers are aware of the fact that the length has to be little closer to the batsmen. I sincerely hope that the length adjustment is made at the earliest before the Aussie batmen take any advantage of our bowlers. If Indians opt to go with 5 bowlers, I am afraid Yuvraj might have to join the reserves.
No visiting team has a decent record at the Waca grounds. Even winning or losing the toss wouldn't make a difference. It's only good and resolute cricket which matters now.
HAWKEYE / CHIVACH SPORTS